When we saw Justin Townes Earle last year he ripped through a rousing version of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ My starter won’t start (I been burnin bad gasoline). I have looked at a lot of Justin’s performances to find one that is equally good, there isn’t one… That said, there are a lot of very good ones.

Since it’s Lightnin’ Hopkins’ birthday today we give you two of them, quite different but very entertaining and very good. Justin Townes Earle is a formidable player and singer!

Happy birthday to legend, Lightnin’ Hopkins rest in peace in blues heaven!

New Jersey 2011 (..and closest to the Bergen version):

Detroit 2010 (very different and very good):

Here’s Lightning Hopkins’ great original (audio only):

Two fantastic singers/songwriters and performers!

– Hallgeir